As a foreigner, you must have a visa before entering into the Indian territory. You can apply for your visa in either of the two ways: an e-visa and a regular tourist visa. The Indian E-tourist visa is a much easier way to apply for Indian e visa. Usually, this type of visas is granted for shorter periods of stay in the country. The regular tourist visa involves more rigorous procedure and is costlier. On the positive side, such visas allow you to stay in the country for longer periods.
An e-visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
Please note it down that an e-visa format looks similar to that of a visa on arrival, but is never the same. When you apply for an electronic visa, you’ve to submit the filled-in form and pay the necessary fees both online. You’ll be informed in time whether your application has been granted or rejected.
When you apply for an e-visa, you don’t need to courier your passport or drop in at the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate. You will be duly informed through e-mail when the application is granted. As your tourist visa is granted, you can board the flight to India. Your visa will be stamped on your passport on your arrival.
But remember, this is not a visa on arrival, though similar to it. You have to apply for the e visa before arriving in India.
Who can apply for an Indian tourist visa?
As for the Indian authorities are concerned, they consider only 4 reasons to grant you this visa.
- Visiting friends or family in India
- Availing medical treatment for a short period of time
- Recreational purpose and sight-seeing in India
- Conducting a short and casual business
The documents you need to possess
- Your passport must be valid for the next six months from your date of arrival.
- It should also have at least two blank pages for Indian stamps.
However, this privilege is not available to Pakistani citizens or people of Pakistani origin. It is also denied to those having diplomatic passports by virtue of their spouses or parents. Both these categories of people will have to follow the regular procedure to get Indian visas.
Documents you must submit
- Along with the correctly filled application form, you have to submit the scanned copy of your passport’s information page.
- A digital copy of your recent, passport-sized photograph (Else, you can scan a photo as well and upload the scanned copy)
- Your confirmed round-trip ticket (This is meant to assure the Indian authorities you don’t plan to sneak in and settle there once and for all)
Previously, an e visa allowed you to stay in India for 30 days. Now, this duration has been extended to 60 days with a double entry facility. This is obviously a big bonus for many Americans, who visit India for various reasons. Moreover, you can apply for an e visa 120 days prior to your journey. Previously, this was a 30-day window. In alternate words, now you can plan your journey much ahead and apply for an India visa online much hassle-free. Now it is much easier to save both your time and effort by just applying for your visa, pack your luggage and board the flight to India.
